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Nature Preserve

The Nature Preserve

The Binghamton University campus in Broome County, New York currently encompasses
almost 900 acres of land, of which over 600 is presently undeveloped and in its natural
state. The core of this undeveloped land is officially designated the Nature Preserve
and at present encompasses 182 acres of land which includes a 20 acre wetland.

Overall, the Nature Preserve is home to an amazing array of species and is a beautiful area for study and recreation. It's setting, as part of the campus
directly adjacent to the developed portion, makes it a welcome sight for students,
faculty, staff and the surrounding community.

Some History

The Nature Preserve designation of the forested and unaltered lands on campus was
introduced after the fall of 1969, when protests arose over the planned used of the
area as playing fields. Even though the wetlands had already begun to be filled in,
demonstrations by students on campus halted further destruction. In response to the
rather large outcry by students and some faculty, the University ceased their efforts
to construct the playing fields in the area, and the former President Bruce Dearing
proposed that the marsh and pond area be set aside as a nature preserve for the recreational
and instructional uses of the students and of the University community. This event
sparked much interest, appreciation and awareness, throughout the university and local
community, for the ecological values and natural beauty of the land that was preserved.
Since then, the 1999 Martin Purchase of 72 acres was added to the official Nature
Preserve, bringing it to 182 acres.